Nostalgia · Reviews

Nostalgiac Reads 1: Hear No Evil by Kate Chester

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23When I was much younger than I am now, a heroine by the name of Sara Howell was brought to my attention, and I was told that she was awesome because she too was a “little bit different.”

Sara Howell is the teen protagonist in Kate Chester’s Hear No Evil series, and she is deaf. She speaks verbally, reads lips and signs. She is an orphan, with only a brother to care for her, but has some really great friends.

When I was younger I wanted to be her. Or at the very least be friends with her. She was/is feisty, and determined and not someone to trifle with.

I embarked on my re-read with this series with trepidation because well, not everything 90s holds up so well. And this book is dated, but not in a way that is bad by any means. Spanning six novels, and many adventures Sara’s tales are awesome, as she uses her Nancy Drew-like intellect to solve crimes, frequently exasperating her friends, brother and then boyfriend. She is a literary friend who I’m glad to have had in my life, because maybe when I question something without just following orders it’s because it’s something she would do.

That being said, I will definitely leave the investigating to the professionals.

Confessions of a Book Addict

Is it still nostalgia if you can hold it in your hands?

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So is it?

Recently I’ve been reading some books which I loved in my childhood and I don’t know why. I’ve smiled while reading about old, steady characters, and stroked the pages of books I’ve bought in used bookstores (both online and not), and in one amazing moment laughed out loud when I found that the person who had sold the book had used a Scholastic book fair flyer as a bookmark.

The books weren’t better than then they are now, at least I don’t think so. Nor are the books better now then they were then, but there’s something safe about them.

I know how these books end, and I know these characters like they’re my best friends.

I know all of my favourite moment in books like Vampire by Richie Tankersley Cusick but yet I discover something new every time I read. Something I never saw on a previous read.

I frequently find myself frustrated that fewer people seem to have read L.J Smith’s Dark Visions series than her Vampire Diaries series. Is it because of the show or was I a particularly strange kid.

Nostalgia is returning to a former time, or a wish to return to a former time. And when I’m opening these books and holding them in hand maybe for a moment I am back there in a tiny room, lying in the sunlight and revelling in the smell of a good book but mostly I’m wondering what I will see next, what nuance I will have missed.

So is it nostalgia? If it is it’s the weirdest case I’ve ever had. Either way I’m just going to keep re-reading.

Book List 2016 · Reviews

3 Reviews for the Price of One! (One re-read project)

Ashley LP2 Comments

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15. The Magicians by Lev Grossman (a re-read) ★★★★

Upon second reading it gave me the opportunity to love certain characters more, and like certain characters even less. The normal world becomes mundane and boring in this tale, and so does the magical world until, as per usual, something is at stake. While embarking on this re-read I was still drawn in by the descriptive and encompassing prose, though I found myself wishing for it to pick up. I do look forward to continuing my read of the second book (for the first time).

 

Continue reading “3 Reviews for the Price of One! (One re-read project)” →

Book List 2016 · Reviews

Fast Reviews (In which I read a lot of Ilona Andrews, like seriously, a ton)

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Here are some quick reviews:

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6. Geek Girls Unite by Leslie Simon

This book is not exactly what I thought it was going to be but I’m not going to complain about that. It was a humorous look at Geek culture, and how we’re received by the world. I did find it funny in this book, just like in real life there is still mentions of cliques etc.

Overall this was an enjoyable read, and an enjoyable look at how people are seen and how assumptions are made.

Continue reading “Fast Reviews (In which I read a lot of Ilona Andrews, like seriously, a ton)” →

Book List 2016

Currently Reading

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Here is what I’m currently reading, just in case anyone wants to know!

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Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs

I have a hard time letting go of series reads and this is no exception. The world build has been great and this book so far is simply a continuation of that. The mythos is something I love ingesting, and I find myself impatiently waiting for the next book or anthology of stories.

Continue reading “Currently Reading” →

Bookish Things · Confessions of a Book Addict

Book Buying Problems and TBR

Ashley LP12 Comments

I am Ashley and I have a huge book buying problem.

I recently downloaded the Delicious Library, and using points bought a little bluetooth scanner because I am a total nerd who wants to catalogue all the things.

I decided to give it a go, and using this program catalogued the books on my shelves into Read and To Be Read piles.

I own 675 books. I have only read 260 of them. That gives me 415 books to read, not counting those which are on my TBR list that I want to take out from the library.

This is my pact, to not buy anymore books UNLESS they are the continuation of a series. This is my pact to only read books that I currently own from now on.

We’ll see how this goes, then, shall we?

Book List 2016 · Reviews

5. Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

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5

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.Plot.

Kate is fighting a foe that no one is sure can be beat, though they’ll certainly try and more of her past comes forward as she and Curran battle the tension between them.

.Characters.

Kate Daniels is a strong character and in this, with her vulnerabilities blatantly shown and her inability to deal with relationships on display I finally identified with her. She is not weak, but she is human and it was nice to see it in ways that are shown more than physical.

Curran is still a character I’m not sure about and I do find aspects of their relationship to be problematic but understand that it might be just because of the genre. However his behaviour at times, as hers does, would be concerning in a real life partner.

.Tone and Setting.

The tone of this novel was ominous, but wonderful. It was a page turner. The setting is amazing, and the world building phenomenal.

Star Rating: ★★★★☆

Recommended for: Fans of Urban Fantasy, or authors such as Diana Rowland or Patricia Briggs.

Bookish Things · Reading Challenges

Reading Project January-February Kelley Armstrong

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I love Kelley Armstrong. I met her before I loved her writing, before I’d read a single word and she was a warm, friendly person. I wish I could meet her now to tell her that I’ve tried to read every word she’s written and it’s still an ongoing project for me, and that the world’s she’s created are amazing.

And thus, my reading project for January, February and possibly March even begins.

I am going to read the Otherworld series in chronological order. It doesn’t seem hard right? Except I’m including the novella’s and short stories as well.

That is, at current count, 61 different pieces of writing, novels, short stories and novellas included.

It has resulted in Otherworld Nights, Men of the Otherworld and Tales of the Otherworld appearing as follows: IMG_3932

This is going to be a very interesting project, and will hopefully lend more depth to the stories I’ve loved for a while. In a way it will be nice to be reintroduced to the characters who have always felt a little bit like friends, or dysfunctional family members.

Book List 2016 · Reviews

4. The Chemistry of Death by Rebecca Cantrell

Ashley LP1 Comment

4

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Plot

Joe and Edison are at it again, scanning people’s brains to better understand PTSD and mental illnesses amongst other things. But someone is killing women in the tunnels, and Joe’s moral compass is spinning. This book is chilling, and oh so well written. The plot moved along quite smoothly and this book was definitely a page turner.

Characters

Joe is still lovely, and vulnerable yet strong at the same time. The way his mind works still fascinates me.

Celeste was in this novel a little less, and yet, I was more interested in her than ever.

Vivian is still a pillar of strength in these novels, and a female character I certainly admire.

All of the characters are written in a way that is very real, and very true to life. They have their strengths but are not without their vulnerabilities.

Tone

For me the tone seemed to shift a little more toward the menacing side in this novel than in the previous two, but I really appreciated it.

Star Rating: ★★★★☆

Recommended for: Rebecca Cantrell fans, even if you mainly liked the Hannah Vogel series. I would also recommend this for people who like hard mysteries.